James (Chip) F. Howard Jr., MD, Receives AANEM's Prestigious 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award

The AANEM Lifetime Achievement Award, the organization’s highest honor, recognizes members for their significant contributions to NM and EDX medicine through teaching, research, and publications. James (Chip) F. Howard, Jr., MD, has been recognized with the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award for his substantial impact in these fields. 

Dr. Howard always wanted to be a physician, and his career reflects this sentiment with a legacy of dedication and leadership in medicine. He was inspired by his grandfather, who graduated from medical school in 1913 and became a leader in the care of indigent patients. Dr. Howard completed his medical degree at the Larner School of Medicine at the University of Vermont in 1974 and his neurological training at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville from 1976 to 1979. He says several mentors during college helped shape his interests, including professors Steve Freedman and Rodney Parsons, who sparked his interest in the nervous system with critical scientific theory. Dr. Charles Poser solidified his interest in neurology, Dr. T.R. Johns drew him to myasthenia gravis (MG), and Dr. Don Sanders sharpened his skills in EDX medicine. Following his education, he joined the faculty at the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill in 1979.

Dr. Howard has been a practicing neurologist for over 44 years, focusing on MG and EMG. He currently directs the MG Clinical Trials and Translational Research Unit at UNC, where he has been the global lead investigator for several of the recently approved therapeutics for MG. Dr. Howard is a professor of neurology, medicine, and allied health at UNC School of Medicine and is an adjunct professor of clinical sciences in neurology at the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. He previously held the prestigious titles of James F. Howard Distinguished Professor of Neuromuscular Disease and Chief of the Neuromuscular Disorders Section at UNC. 

A key figure at AANEM for years, Dr. Howard has held various leadership roles, including serving on the Board of Directors and chairing several committees such as ABEM Credentials and Program. He is actively involved in the ANF Research Committee and has contributed to AANEM Annual Meetings since 1990. Additionally, he generously regularly donates his handmade glass vases to the ANF Silent Auction. 

In 2015, Dr. Howard was honored with the AANEM’s Distinguished Physician Award. He has also received multiple accolades, including the UNC Department of Neurology Faculty Teaching Award, the UNC Department of PM&R Resident Faculty Teaching Award, and the UNC Health Care and Faculty Physicians Award for Carolina Care Excellence (three times). Additionally, he has been recognized with the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America Medical Professional of the Year Award, the AANEM/ANF President’s Research Initiative Award, and the MGFA Doctor of the Year Award. Dr. Howard’s extensive contributions include numerous textbook publications, peer reviewed journals, and comprehensive books showcasing his commitment to neurology and scientific education.

Though he has many accomplishments, two stand out as his proudest achievements. “First, the ability to mentor and train young neurologists and physiatrists in NM and EDX medicine and to see their careers blossom.” He encourages young physicians to engage with their patients. “A clinician practicing NM and EDX medicine is unique; to talk to and lay our hands on the patient to generate differential diagnoses and to personally utilize technology (EMG and US) to define and characterize our clinical suspicions is the best of both worlds. Each patient is unique and will continue to teach you throughout your career.

It is important that you learn at least one non-medical fact about each patient, e.g. a hobby, their job, their family and discuss it at every encounter. In doing so, you will connect with the patient, and they will see you as a genuine friend and will have little hesitancy in opening up to you.” He paraphrases Stephen R. Covey by saying, “Great medicine is not about tests but in listening. One must listen to understand, not simply to reply.” He says his second proudest achievement is being involved in bringing new therapeutics to patients with MG. He notes that MG has had no approved treatment since its recognition in the mid-1600s. 

Going forward with the belief that the future of NM and EDX medicine is bright and will continue to play an invaluable role in patient care, Dr. Howard says there is more for him to do. He believes the advances in gene therapy and new technologies in immune therapy will reshape how physicians practice NM medicine. “My work is not done! We have some new surprises in the therapeutic pipeline! However, I now have three grandchildren and cherish the time I get to spend with them. And, of course, I need to spend more time in the glass studio to improve my art pieces,” he says. 

Dr. Howard expresses his appreciation to the awards committee for the Lifetime Achievement Award, saying, “I am humbled and deeply honored. To be recognized by one’s peers and family is the highest accolade one can receive, and AANEM is both to me. However, it is important to recognize that the advances we make in our career take a village, not a single individual, and they are as deserving of this honor as I.”